Box-folding machine



.1. WEBB.

BOX FOLDING MACHINE.

(Appileation filod Nov. 3, 1897.) (No Model.)

Patanied Apr. 25, 1899.

4 Sheets-Sheet I.

No. 623,586. Patented Apr. 25, I899.

J. WEBB.

BOX FOLDING MACHINE.

(Application filed Nov. 3, 1897.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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Paten ted Apr. 25, I899.

' Patented Apr. 25,1899, .1. WEBB.

Box FOLDING MACHINE.

(Application filed Nov. 8,1897.)

4 Sheats-Sheet 4..

(No Model.)

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llurrnn rates .ATENT trio's.

JOHN WEBB, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS Box-FOLDING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 623,586, dated April 25 1899.

Application filed November 3, 1897. L ri l N 857,241. (No modeL) To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN WEBB,of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Box-Folding Machines; and 1 do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to box folding and pasting machinery, and is designed in its completed form to fold and paste the end flaps of a tubular box-blank which has the flaps at one or both ends unfolded. Said machine is provided with a suitable form adapted to receive the'tubular blank and to automatically fold or bend the flaps upon each other, the last one folded of which has been previously or simultaneously therewith supplied with a suitable adhesive material and is provided with means for exerting pressure upon the said flap, which will be applied a sufficient length of time to permit the paste or gum to set. The tubular blank, with oneend thus closed, is then automatically stripped from the machine.

A second feature of the invention contemplates means for receiving a filled box with one end closed in the manner described, but with the other end open, and means for closing said open end of the box by folding the opposite and intermediate flaps of said open end automatically, the last one folded being supplied with a suitable paste, and providing means for holding the said flap thus folded in position until the paste thereon has set.

The invention is herein illustrated in a machine consisting of an open oblong rectangular frame carrying over sprocket-wheels ateach end thereof an endless carrier, to which are attached flap-folding devices, and to the frame of which are attached the various mechanisms for actuating and controlling said flapfolding devices as they pass successively from one end of the machine to the other. As herein shown, said carrier consists of two endless chains, one on each side of the machine,

made up of relatively long links, said links front end of the box-blank are attached to said carrier at one side of the machine, while the flap-folding devices for finally closing the box are attached to the carrier on the opposite side of the machine. It will of course be understood that these two operations are not required to be conducted in the same machine, although this is desirable. Likewise the device for folding and holding the last or gummed flap on each end of the box is shown in connection with the means for automatically actuating the flap-closer; but this fea ture of the invention being separable-is also shown on a separate figure without any auto matic device for actuating the flap-closer, and inasmuch as a plurality of such separate devices for holding the gummed flap in position until the gum or paste is set may be used to carry it where the folding of the flaps is performed by hand by cheap labor.

With these general statements as to the object of the invention I now proceed to describe the drawings, which illustrate an operative machine embodying my invent-ion, but respecting many of the details of construction of which machine I do not desire to belimited, except as hereinafter specifically claimed.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the right-hand side of a machine embodying one form of my invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse view of the same,enlarged, showing sim ply the frame, the links of the endless chains,'the tracks for the same, and otherdetails hereinafter to be mentioned. Fig. 3 isaplan view of one ofthe links of the chain, enlarged,- showing themea nsconnecting said link with the ends of the adjacent links. Fig. 4 is a side view of the same. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the flap holding and setting devices. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional detail thereof, enlarged. Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical sectional View of a portion of the machine, enlarged, showing right and left hand folding devices in elevation, the right-hand device being that which performs the first operation above referred to.

rier.) Fig. 9 is a perspective view, enlarged,

of the side-flap folding and holding plate, together with the arms secured thereto'for engagement with a cam, whereby the plate is automatically dropped. Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view of the folding device shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 11 is a horizontal sectional view of the same, taken upon line 11 11 of Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a plan view of the receptacle in which the folded box is placed, together with the end and one side of the flap-closing device. Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view of the same, taken upon line 13 13 of Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view of the same, taken upon line 14 lat of Fig. 12, and showing also in section the folding and setting plate. Fig. 15 is a side elevation, enlarged, of the folding and flap-setting device as a whole for closing the filled box.

First referring to Figs. 5 and 9 of the drawings, I will describe the operation of the flap folding and setting device. A is a tubular box-blank open at each end and provided with oppositely-arranged flaps a, attached to the narrow side walls of the box, and intermediate flaps a a attached to the wider side walls thereof, as indicated in Fig. 9, which are adapted to be folded upon each other to form the closed end walls of the box. For convenience said flaps a (6 will hereinafter be designated as the end flaps and the flaps a a as the side flaps. A is a block or form of any suitable size, over which said tubular blank maybe placed, so that the edges a of one set of flaps a ct a will rest upon and be supported by a suitable projection or table A the block A being of such height from the table or shoulder A as to form at its upper end a support or shoulder over which the opposite set of flaps a a a of the box-blank A may be folded. The blank A being placed by hand upon the block A, the operator will first fold the end flaps (1 toward each other upon the top of the block A and will then fold successively the two side flaps a a and the lastone of which will be supplied upon the under side thereof with paste, by which it will be secured 'to the subjacent side flap. This operation by hand requires only a very short time; but the side flap last folded must be held in position a relatively long time in order that the paste carried thereby will set. \Vith my improved device, Fig. 5, the operator will now move the holding-plate B in position over the top of the side lap a and will then pass to the next block A and repeat the operation, the holding-plate B being thus automaticallyheld in its position by means of the mechanism now to be described.

Conveniently located with respect to the block A are two side or upright members of a frame B and a transverse member I). To the transverse member I) are secured tension, fiat, or leaf springs Z1, which springs engage at their upper or free ends one margin of the holding-plate B. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, antifrietion-rollers b are secured to the plate B, which the ends of the springs actually engage; but it is obvious that the said antifriction-rollers b may be omitted, if desirable. The plate B is pivotally secured at b to the vertical frame members B, and the rear margin of said plate, that which engages the springs b, is bent upwardly to a plane above said point of pivot, as shown in Fig. 0'. From this construction it will be manifest that when the plate B is in a horizontal position, as shown in said figure, or in a plane below its pivotal connection b the location of the springs b and their point of engagement with the upturned margin of said plate or with said antifriction-rollers b above said pivotal connection 11", said plate B will be firmly held by the springs 1) upon the flap a The plate will likewise be held in a raised position when the antifriction-rollers b have passed below the plane of said pivotal connection of the plate. In Fig. 6 the plate is shown as having two parts, that lettered B and that lettered B the two parts being secured together by bolts and nuts, as shown at 11 This construction is employed for the purpose of removing the portion lettered B and securing in its place a plate of different size or shape and which will be desirable whenever the block A is removed and one of a different size or shape substituted therefor. This block A may be secured to the shoulder or table A by a thumb-screw a or otherwise.

In the form of flap folding and setting device shown in Fig. 9 the plate B is shown as constructed of one piece, and to said plate are secured arms B to which an antifrictionroller b is secured. The arms B form a lever in connection with the plate B and its pivotal connection b and the roller 1) may eugage a suitable cam or curved track, whereby the lever will be moved at a desired interval. and. thus the plate B may be actuated to fold the flap, while the springs 11 will retain the plate B in position until the latter is either raised by hand or the cam or track causes the lever B to move in the other direction.

It is obvious from the foregoing description of the mechanism shown in Figs. 5, (3, and 9 that this one feature of the invention maybe incorporated in a machine, as shown in theother figures of the drawings, or may be separately employed, and in .the latter case it will be of great advantage even where the operations of folding the two ends and the side flaps of each end of a box are performed by hand. There may be a plurality of such end folding and setting plates B separately located upon some suitable bench or table or they may be located upon some revolving table. In the latter case the operator should place a boxblank upon the block or form A, fold it and paste it, drop the plate B down upon it, and proceed to the next box or form. By the time the table moves around so that this particular box is again in front of the operator the paste or glue will be set and the operator will then raise the plate B by hand, remove the boxblank, and place-another in position.

the first operation on the box-blank I will describe the machine as a whole.

O O are vertical standards of the frame, secured at their lower ends tov a suitable transverse base-plate 0, one at each end, by bolts 0 or in any other convenient manner, and suitably connected together at necessary points by angle-irons 0, extending lengthwise of the machine, and transverse angle-irons 0 extending across the machine. At one end of the frame is mounted in suitable brackets a rotatable sh aft C upon which shaft is mounted two laterally-separated sprocket-wheels 0 one on each side of the machine, and a driv ing-pulley C Motion is communicated to the shaft 0 through said driving-pulley C, from any suitable source of power, through the medium of a driving-belt c or otherwise. At the other end of the machine a similar shaft 0 supports two laterally separated sprocket-wheels C and over the sprocketwheels at each end of the machine an endless carrier, designated as a whole by the letter D, is trained. Said belt as herein shown consists generally of two endless chains located upon laterally-opposite sides of the machine and transverse slats D secured at their opposite ends to the links of said chains. Said chain is made up of a plurality of relatively long links, to each of which two transverse slats are secured. It is desirable'that the journal-box 0 in which the shaft 0 is mounted, be adjustably secured to the frame in order that said shaft may be adjusted for the purpose of taking up or giving any desired slack in the said carrier D. As one means of affording such adj ustability I have shown the journal-box as having a sliding engagement with upper and lower bars 0 which extend between the two uprights C Oat this end of the machine, and as being provided with a screw-threaded bolt 0 which passes through a suitable aperture in the upright C and is engaged from the outside thereof by a suitable nut c It will be manifest that upon turning the nut c the screw-threaded bolt 0 may be drawn through the aperture in the uprightO, thus drawing the journal-box 0 toward said upright, carrying with it the shaft and sprocket-wheels carried thereon and thereby tightening the carrier D.

The links of the carrierD are shown in detail in Figs. 3 and 4, each link comprising two side members (Z and a spreader-spool d,

at each end thereof, a pivot or connecting pin d passing througlreach of said spools, and antifriction-rollers d on the outer ends of said pin outside of the side members (1. The teeth 0 of the sprocket-wheels 0 pass between the said members (Z of each link and engage the spreader-spool d, which will be rotatively mounted upon the pins d Each lap of each belt D travels upon a track, the lower track of the right-hand belt being shown at D, Figs. 1 and 2, while the upper track is shown at D Fig. 1. The latter track consists simply of an angle-iron suitably secured at each end to a transverse angle-iron d, which are in turn secured to the uprights C at the opposite. ends of the machine. The lower track D consists of two angle-irons secured together to form an elongated channelbar, the open side of which is directed inwardly and within which the belt of the carrierD is mounted. Said bars are mounted in opposite sides of the machine and secured therein by being riveted to angle-plates (1 mounted upon the upright members C at each end of the machine. The opposite links of the laterally-separated endless chains D are secured from movement with relation to each other by means of the transversely-arranged bars D which bars are secured at their ends to inwardly-projecting lugs (1 upon the innermost member of the side bars d of each link by means of bolts d as more clearly shown in Fig. 7. There are two of said horizontally-arranged bars D for each pair of links, and it is to these bars that I prefer to secure a portion of the flap folding and setting mechanism. 7

Referring now to the flap folding and setting mechanism shown at the right-hand side of the machine, or that seen in elevation in Fig. 1, it will be seen by an inspection of Figs. 8 and 10 that the block A over which the box-blank A is placed is not a solid block and that it is surrounded in the lower part thereof by the opposite members of a vertically-movable yoke 'E, which is hereinafter termed a stripper. Said stripper consists of two side members, which engage opposite sides of the block A and are flared outwardly at their upper ends, as shown at e, which upwardly-flaring end forms a shoulder upon which the lower margins a of the flaps a a a when the boX-blankAis placed over the block A, may rest, as clearly shown in dotted lines in Fig. 10. After the blank is thus located upon the block or form A the end flaps a a are folded together by means of folding-fin gers G, as seen more clearly in Figs. 7 and S. Said folding-fingers are made in the form of a V-shaped plate and are pivoted at their lower or narrow ends to standards G, which are mounted upon cross-bars f secured in any suitable manner to the transverse slats D said fingers G extending at its upper or wider end adjacent to the upper end of the block A. Said fingers G are actuated by means of vertically-extendin g links G which are pivoted at their upper ends to integral lugs mounted on said arms and are attached at their lower ends to a vertically-movable plate G Said plate is provided with a depending bracket 9 upon the lower side thereof, carrying an antifriction-wheel g, which is adapted to engage and travel upon a track G, which is herein shown as secured by means of angle-irons or brackets g to the main frame. Said plate G is guided in its vertical movement by means of two guide-rods g which depend from the lower side of the plate f in parallel relation and which rods pass through suitable apertured bosses constituting bearings g on said plate G Pins 9 upon the guide-rods 9 limit the downward movement of the plate G and springs G interposed between said cross-bar f and plate G and preferably surrounding the guide-rods g serve to hold the plate G normally in its lowermost position, as shown in Fig. 8, and the fingers retracted from the upper end of the former block. An inclined portion g of the track G acts as a cam when the rollerwheel 9, moving in the direction indicated by the arrowin Fig. 8, passes over it, thereby raising said plates G vertically through the medium of the bracket g, which acts in turn through the links G2 to swing the upper ends of the pivotally-mounted fingers or folders G toward each other and to thereby tuck or fold the flaps a into their proper position upon the upper end of the block A. After the flaps a (t have thus been folded upon each other the side flap a is then folded over upon said end flaps by the folder or finger F. Said folder or finger F has the same form as the fingers G described, and is provided at its lower end with an apertured hub f, by means of which it is pivoted to a standard F, mounted upon the cross-bar f said finger being secured to-the standard by means of a pivotpin f as clearly shown in Fig. 7. Said finger is provided at its lower end with an outwardly-extending lug f, to which is secured, by means of a pivot-pin f, the upper end of a vertically reciprocating actuating rod, which rod is provided at its lower end with an antifriction-roller f Said rod F passes through a suitable bearing f in the plate f and frame F is normally held in its lowermost position or that shown in Figs. 7 and 8 by means of a spiral spring f surrounding said rod and impinging at one end against the plate f and at its other end against a shoulder formed by a pin f upon said rod F At theproper time in the movement of the device as a whole lengthwise of the machine the roller f strikes an inclined or cam surface f or a short track f and rides over the same. The inclination of the cam-surface is such as to cause an upward or vertical movement of the rod F which in turn moves the outer end of the finger F toward the box A, the inwardly-projecting portion f thereof striking the flap a and folding it over upon the flaps a, which have been previously folded upon said block, as described. After said fiaps a a have been thus folded, the under side of the flap a is then supplied with paste or other suitable adhesivematerial and the folding and setting plate B is then moved down upon the flap a by reason of the wheel 1) upon the outer ends of the arms B riding upwardly upon the cam-surface l) of the track B Said track B is suitably mounted upon angle-irons b D which in turn are secured to the cross-bar b and a depending bar I), forming the parts of the frame.

In the completed machine the relation of the cam-surface g to the cam-surfacef Fig. 8, is such that in point of time the end flaps a will be folded first, and just as the finger F is moving over to fold the (lap at the wheel 9 will roll down an inclined or cam surface g and thus release the fingers G as they are moving away. The fiat or straight main portion F of the track, which is engaged by the antifrietion-rollerf of the actuating-rod F holds the parts in such position that the finger F will be held firmly upon the folded flap a until just before the folding and setting plate B is actuated. At this time the antifrietion-rollerf of said rod F strikes a downwardly-inclined surface f 13 of the track,which permits the spring f to retract the rod F and withdraw the finger F.

It will be noted by reason of the bolt connections the frames F and G may be removed from the cross-bars f and frames of different heights may span them, thus making it possible to adjust this machine to different sizes of boxes. The flap-setting plate 13, however, need not be removed entirely from the machine, since I have made provision for adjusting the side frame-pieces B, to which the plate B is pivoted. I provide upon the cross-bars D of each plate vertical standards 13, which form guides for the standards B, the latter being provided at their upper and lower ends with outwardly-projeeting apertured flanges b through the apertures of which the said guide-posts B pass. A connecting-plate b extends between the upper ends of the guide-rods B, through which plate the upper ends of said rods pass and to which they are secured by the nuts I)". An intermediate rod B is secured at its lower end to the cross-bar B and at its upper end it is secured to the plate 19 by a nut b Projecting rearwardly from the plate I) is a block I), provided with a vertical aperture which is engaged by the rod B and through which said rod slides. b is a set-screw passing through said block I) and having its end impinging or hearing against the guide-rod B By this means the vertical adjustment of the flap folding and setting plate B is accomplished and regulated as desired.

From the foregoing description ,it will be manifest that the operator, sitting on the right-hand side of the machine, facing the side illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, with a number of tubular box-blanks A conveniently at hand, places the said blanks one by one over the block or forms A as each link of the chain D, traveling in the direction indicated by the arrows, Fig. 1, passes before her. It will be understood that each link of the chain D is provided with a complete set' of flap folding and setting devices, above referred to, and of which but two only are illustrated in position in Fig. 1. After the flapsetting plate B has been turned down upon the flap a by reason of thefact that the wheel 0 runs over the upwardly-inclined track or cam B the said holderB is retained in its po-' sition upon the flap by the action of the springs 12 during the further travel of the carrier D, notwithstanding the fact that said roller b leaves the track B at the point indicated at When first placed upon the block A, the box is in an upright position and is supported above the lower lap of the carrier D; but it will be noted that the position of the box becomes inverted when the particular link carrying the same becomes amember of the upper lap of the carrier, the box itself then projectingdownwardly. When the lever Bicarryin-g the roller-wheel b ,approaches the left-hand end of the track B the said roller enters the same at the point marked 13, and almost immediately thereafter the flapholder B is raised by reason of the action of the cam or down wardly-inclined surface B of the track B Immediately upon being released from the pressure of the holding-flap B the blank A is stripped from the block A by the stripper E. The lower end of the stripper E is provided with two wheels E E the former being preferably a grooved wheel. The wheel E travels upon the track E extending lengthwise of the machine at the lower side thereof, and said track E is provided with an upwardly-inclined or cam surface 6, the incl ination being so arranged with reference to the downwardly-inclined portion B of the track B that the stripperE will be caused to move upwardly at or immediately after the plate B is raised. As before stated, the stripper E moves vertically upward upon the outside of the block A. A set of rollers e on either side of the stripperE serve as a guide therefor, the rollers being rotatably mounted in suitable brackets c depending from the cross-barf one on either side of the stripper E. The'stripper E having been moved vertically upward by the action of the upwardlyinclined cam-surface of the track 6 for the purpose of pushing the box-blank, with its one folded end, upwardly off the block A, it

is necessary to immediately move it downwardly to its former position in order that a second blank may be placed upon the block A. This down ward move men t is accomplished by-means ofan auxiliary track or downwardlyinclined cam-surface E, which is held in position slightly above and at one side of the track E by means of suitable brackets 6 as more clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 7. The roller-wheel E upon the lower end of the strip E engages the under side of this downwardlyinclined cam-surface E and by its connection with the stripper E moves said stripper to its normal lower position.

The opposite or left-hand side of the machine is provided with a plurality of devices for folding the flaps on the box-blank after the latter has been filled, each of said devices being secured to the opposite ends of the cross-slats D of the carrier to the folders just described, as more clearly shown in Fig. '7. The mechanism for folding the last flap and holding it in position until after the paste or glue has set being precisely the same in construction and operation as that hereinabove described for the right-hand-side folder, the description will not be repeated, and the same reference-letters are used to designate the corresponding parts. The same general idea is also employed in the mechanism used for folding the two end flaps Ct at and for folding the first side flap a as it is used on the righthand side of the machine; but the details of the mechanism varying slightly'will now be described.

H is a hollow frame or receptacle provided at its lower end with outwardly-projectiug flanges h, which rest upon and are secured to thecross-slats D In this receptacle H is placed the box A,'wi th its closed end downward and filled with whatever material is to be placed within the box. The length of this receptacle H is such that the flaps will pro- -ject entirely above the upper edge thereof,

as plainly indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 13. The receptacle H is provided with afalse or movable bottom H, supported upon two rods h, which pass through a suitable bearing in the bottom of the receptacle and unite ICO at their lower ends and carry a small grooved wheel If. The latter rests upon a track H on the left-hand side of the machine opposite the track E previously referred to. This track H is provided with suitable cam-surfaces, so that at a proper time the grooved wheel or roller it passes over the same, and thereby causes the movable bottom H to move upwardly in the receptacle H and push out the box A from said receptacle. The lower ends of the rods h are provided with a laterally-extendin g roller-wheel H which works against the under side of a cam-surface or track 7L which latter is supported upon abracket 71. These parts 75, h, and H act precisely in the same manner as do the parts E E an d 6 heretofore described, and therefore they will not be further illustrated or described.

The means for operating the fingers which fold the end flap (6 of the box (see Figs. 13

and 15) comprise links I, connected at their carrya roller f in engagement with said track G The flanges h are provided, further, with vertically-depending guide-rods 71 which pass through suitable apertures in said plate I. In the lower ends of said guide-rods are mounted transverse stop-pins t Said-pins '1' limit the downward movement of the plate 1 upon the guide-rods i Springs 1 preferably surrounding said guide-rods i engage at their upper ends the under side of the plate 7i and at their lower ends the upper surface of the plate 1, which springs tend to hold the plate I to its lowermost or normal position after the roller-wheel 7L2 has passed over the upwardly-inchned cam-surface of the cam-track G The upper ends of said links I are pivotally engaged to the short arms of bell-crank levers 1 which levers are in turn pivotally secured to suitably upwardly-extending side brackets 13 t of the receptacle II. The brackets 2' are provided with downwardly-inclined grooves 71, said grooves being formed by the turning over of the edges 6 of the inclined portions of the brackets t, and in said grooves are located the folder-fingers I. Said fingers I are centrally slotted or apertured at i and are provided with transverse pins or arms i in said slot or aperture f. The long arm of the bellcrank lever I is bifurcated, as shown at i The two parts of the end ofthelever enter the slot i one on either side of the pin 2' It will be seen from this construction that when the plate I is moved upwardly it will move the links I in the same direction, which will in turn actuate the bell-crank lever 1 so that the long arm thereof will describe the arc of a circle in the direction of the box-blank, and that this movement will cause fingers I to move downwardly and inwardly in their respective guide-slots i until their lower ends engage and fold the end flaps (L of the box. It will also be notedthat upon the return or downward movement of the plate I and the links I the bell-crank levers will cause the fingers I" to move in the opposite direction and resume their normal upper position, as indicated in Fig. 13. The side flap a" is folded by a finger J, acting in the same manner as the finger F, but instead of being hinged to a standard, as is the latter construction, it is hinged to the front side wall of the receptacle II, as indicated in Figs. 12 and 14. Said finger J is provided with two laterally-separated lugs'j and a pin 7' J designates an actuating-rod which is provided in its upper end with a slot j, by which it is engaged with the pin The lower end of the rod J carries a roller-wheelj which roller-corresponds with the rollerf of the folderfirst described and is actuated by a track with inclined camsurfaces on the left-hand side of the machine corresponding with the track f on the righthand side of the machine, previously explained. e

The box-form A, having one ofits ends closed by the devices on the right-hand side of the machine, as described, is filled and placed within the receptacle H on the lefthand side of the machine. The end flaps a are then folded over by the fingers I, the side flap a folded down upon the flap a by the finger J, and, finally, the flap a", which has been previously supplied on its under side with paste, is folded over the fiap a and held in position by the folding and setting plate B.

As before stated, it is manifest that there are many details of construction in the foregoing description of a machine embodying my invention which are not absolutely essential to the carrying out of the invention and which may be modified in various ways with out departing from the essence or spirit of theinvention, and all such modifications I claim within the scope of my invention.

1 claim as my invention- 1. A box-folding machine embracing a traveling carrier, and means for folding the last flap of the box and retaining it in position comprising a form or block mounted on said carrier, at pivoted retaining plate or arm and means engaging said plate in a manner to hold the same either in its raised or lowered position. I

2. Abox-foldingmachineembracingatravcling carrier, a form or block mounted on said carrier, a pivoted flap-holding plate or arm, means for automatically raising said plate from or lowering it upon the form and means acting to hold said plate either in its raised or lowered position.

3. A box-folding machine embracinga form for holding the box-blank,a standard mounted adjacent'to said form, a pivoted folding-plate mounted on said standard, a tension device for holding said plate either in its upper or lower position,'and means for adjusting the relation of the pivoted plate to the box-holding block.

4. AboX-foldingmachine embracingatravcling carrier, a blank-holding block or form mounted on said carrier, a standard mounted adjacent to said block, a folding-plate pivoted to said standard, a tension device for holding said plate either in its upperor lower position, and means for automatically raising or lowering said plate.

5. A box-folding machine embracinga traveling carrier, a blank-holding block mounted on said carrier, a standard mounted adjacent to said block, a plate pivoted to said standard, a tension device on said standard engaging said pivoted plate and adapted to hold the latter either in its upper or lower position, and means for automatically raising or lowering said plate, comprising a cam-surface or track mounted rigidly adjacent to said form, and an arm projecting from said plate an d adapted to engage said cam-surface or track.

6. A box folding machine comprising a main frame, a traveling carrier in said frame, a form or block mounted on said carrier, at fiap folding and retaining plate pivotally secured upon said carrier adjacent to the block, a track provided with an inclined or cam sur- IIO carrier, a form or block mounted upon said.

carrier, a pivotal flap folding and retaining plate adjustably secured to said carrier adjacent to the block, a track'provided with inclined or cam surfaces rigidly secured to said main frame, an arm secured to said pivoted plate and a roller-wheel on the end of said arm and engaging said track.

8. A box folding machine comprising a main frame, a traveling carrier, a form or block mounted on said carrier, a flap folding and retaining plate pivoted on said carrier adjacent to said block to swing in a vertical plane, and adapted to engage the block when in its lower position, a tension device engaging said pivoted plate and adapted to hold the latter either in its upper orlower position, a track rigid with said frame and provided on one end thereof with a cam-surface ad apted to engage and move said plate in its lower position upon the block and provided on its opposite end with a cam-surface adapted to raise the plate from the block.

9. A boxfolding machine comprising a main frame, a traveling carrier mounted on ways on said frame, means for actuating said carrier, a form or block mounted on said carrier, a flap folding'and retaining plate pivotally secured upon the carrier adjacent to said block to swing iii-a vertical plane and adapted to engage the upper end of said block when in its lower position, a tension. deviceengaging said pivoted plate to hold the latter either in its upper or lower position, an actuatingarm attached to said plate and provided on its outer end with an antifriction-roller, a track rigidly mounted 011 said frame and provided on one end thereof with a cam-surface and adapted to engage said antifriction-roller to move'said plate in its lower position, and pro vided on its opposite end with a cam-surface adapted to raise the plate from the block.

10. A box-folding machine, embracing a blank holding block or form,, a standard mounted adjacent to said block, a plate pivoted to said standard to swing in a vertical plane, the rear edge of said plate being formed to extend above the plane of the pivot of said plate, atension device engaging said rear edge of the plate whereby said plate will be held either in its lower or u pper position,and means on the frame adapted to engage said plate to automatically raise or lower the same in the movement of the carrier in the frame.

11. A box -Vfolding machineembracing a blank holding block or form, a standard mounted adjacent to said block, a plate pivoted upon said standard to swing in a vertical plane, the rear edge of said plate beingformed to extend above the plane of the pivot of the plate, an antifriction-roller upon said rear edge of the plate, a leaf-spring affixed at one end to the standard and engaging at its opposite end said antifriction-roller, and means 'on the frame for automatically raising and lowering said plate in the movement of the carrier in the frame. i

12. A box-folding machine comprising a main frame, a traveling carrier mounted on ways in said frame, a form or block mounted on said carrier, a frame or standard affixed to the carrier adjacent to said block comprising parallel guide-rods, and a cross-head ex tending between the same, means for adjusting said cross-head longitudinally of the rods, a folding and retaining plate pivotally mounted on the cross-head to swing in a vertical plane, and engaging when in its lower position the upper end of said frame, a tension device mounted on said cross-head to hold said plateeither in its upper or lowerposition, and means on the frame for automatically raising and lowering said plate in the movement of the carrier in the frame.

13. A box-folding machine comprising a main frame, a traveling carrier mounted in ways in said frame, a form or block on said carrier, a frame or standard affixed to the carrier adjacent to the block comprising parallel guide-rods, a cross-head mounted to have longitudinal movement thereon, a locking- -rod affixed to said carrier and engaging said cross-head, means for locking said cross-head to said rod, a spring-pressed folding and retaining plate mounted on said crosshead to swing in a vertical plane, and means on the frame for automatically raising and lowering said plate in the movement of the carrier in the frame.

14:. Abox-folding machine, comprising a main frame, a sprocket wheel rotatively mounted in each end thereof, means for imparting motion to one of said wheels, an endless traveling carrier passing oyersaid wheels, a form or blank holder mounted upon said carrier, a flap-folding device mounted also upon said carrier adjacent to'the block or form com prising a side-flap folder, two end-flap folders and a second side-flap folding and retaining plate, arms projecting from each of said folders, tracks permanentlysecured to said main frame with which the ends of said arms engage, and cam-surfaces upon said tracks adapted to actuate said several arms. 15. A box-folding machine comprising a main frame, a Wheel rotativel-y mounted in each end thereof, means for imparting motion to one of said wheels, an endless traveling carrier passing over said wheels, a form or blank holder mounted upon said carrier, flap-folding devices secured also to said carrier, comprising a side-flap folder, two endflap folders and a second side-flap folding and retaining plate, arms projecting from each of said folders, tracks permanently attached to said main frame with whicl1,the ends of said arms engage, cam-surfaces upon said tracks adapted to actuate said several arms,and a stripping device comprising a vertically movable part engaging said form or blank holder, an arm projecting from said movable part, and a track in engagement with the lower end of said arm, said track being secured to the main frame and provided at a suitable point with a cam-surface adapted to actuate said arm of the stripping device.

16. A box folding machine embracing means for folding two opposite flaps upon one end of a box-blank comprising a form or block, folding-fingers adapted to engage flaps connected to two opposite side walls of the blank, actuating-arms secured at one end thereof to a universal plate or bar and at their opposite ends oppositely connected with said foldingfingers, a track secured to the main frame of the machine and provided with a cam -surf ace adapted to engage and actuate said universal plate or bar and means for moving said folding mechanism with respect to said track.

17. A box folding machine, embracing means for folding two opposite flaps upon one end ofa boX-blank,comprisingaform or block, folding-fingers adapted to engage the flaps connected to two opposite side walls of the blank, actuating-arms secured at one end thereof to avertically-movable universal plate and at their opposite ends pivotally connected with said folding-fingers, a depending bracket on said vertically-movable plate, an antifriction-roller in the lower end thereof, a track on the main frame of the machine and provided with a cam-surface adapted to engage said antifriction-roller and to thereby actuate said universal plate and the folding-fingers connected therewith, and means for moving said folding mechanism with respect to the track.

18. A box folding machine, embracing means for folding two opposite flaps upon one end of a box-blank, comprising a form or block, folding-fingers adapted to engage the flaps connected to the two opposite side walls of said blank, actuating-arms secured at one end thereof to a universal plate and at their opposite ends pivotally connected with said folding-fingers, a track secured to the main frame of the machine and provided with a cam-surface adapted to-engage and actuate said universal plate,folding-fingers connected therewith, and means for restoring said plate to its normal position whendisengaged from said cam-surface, and means for moving said folding mechanism with respect to the track.

19. A box folding machine embracing means for folding two opposite flaps upon one end of a box-blank, comprising a form or block, folding-fingers adapted to engage the flaps connected to two opposite walls of the blank, actuating-arms secured at one end thereof to a verticallymovable universal plate and at their other ends pivotally connected with said folding-fingers, a depending bracket on said plate, an antifriction-roller mounted in said bracket, a movable carrier to which said folding mechanism is attached,

a track secured to the main frame of the machine and provided with acam-surface adapted to engage said antifriction-roller and actuate said plate as the device passes forward over the track, and a spring engaging said plate to restore the same to its normal position upon the track when said roller is disengaged from the cam-surface of the track.

20. A box folding machine embracing means for folding the side flaps of one end of a box com prising pivoted folding-fingers, vertically-movable rods pivotally secured thereto, a movable carrier supporting and moving said folding mechanism, a stationary track on the main frame provided with a cam surface adapted to actuate said rod and means for restoring said folding-fingers after being actuated by the cam-surface.

21. A box-folding machine comprising a main fame, an endless traveling carrier mounted therein, a form mounted on said carrieroverwhieha tubularblankmaybemounted, means for folding the end flaps of said blank over said form, a stripper for removing said blank from the form comprising a vertically-reciprocating frame, embracing said form and engaging atits upper end the lower end of said blank, and means on the frame foractuatingsaid stripper to remove theblank from the frame.

22. A box-folding machine comprising a main frame, an endless traveling carrier mounted therein, aform mounted on said carri'er over which a tubular blank maybe placed, means for folding the end flaps of said blank over said form, a stripperfor removing said blank from the form comprising a verticallyreciprocating frame, embracing said form and engaging at its upper end the lower end of said blank, means on the frame for actuating said stripper to remove the blank from the form, and means for restoring said stripper to its normal or lower position.

23. A box-folding machine comprising a main frame, an endless traveling carrier mounted therein, a form on said carrier over which a tubular box-blank maybe mounted, means for folding the end flaps of said blank over the said form, a stripper for removing the blank from the form comprising a reciprocating frame embraein g said form and engaging at its upper end the lower end of the blank, a track mounted on the main frame and provided with an upwardly-inclined camsurface adapted to engage said stripper to move the same vertically upon the form and a downwardly-inclined cam-surface upon said track adapted to engage said stripper to restore it to its normal or lowermostposition.

24:. A box-folding machine comprising a main frame, an endless traveling carrier mounted therein, a form on said carrier over which a tubular box-blank may be mounted, means for folding the end flaps of said blank over said form, a stripper for removing said blank from the form comprising a verticallyreciprocating frame embracing said form and engaging at its upper end the lower end of the blank, an antifriction-roller on the lower end of said stripper, a track on the frame provided with an upwardly-inclined cam-surface adapted to engage said roller to move the stripper vertically upon the frame, a downwardly-inclined cam-surface on said track and a second roller mounted on said stripper and adapted to engage the underside of said last-mentioned cam-surface.

25. A box-folding machine comprising a main frame, an endless traveling carrier mounted therein, a form on said carrier over which a tubular blank may be mounted, means for folding the end flaps of said blank over said form, a stripper for removing said blank from the form, comprising a vertically-reciprocating frame normally embracing the lower end of said form and engaging at its upper end the lower end of the blank, "uide-rollers between said carrier and stripper, and means on the frame for actuating said stripper to remove the blank from the form.

26. A box-folding machine comprising a main frame,an endless traveling carrier therein, a hollow receptacle mounted on said carrier and adapted to receive aboX-blank, folding-fingers movably mounted on said receptacle and adapted to move inwardly to fold the flaps connected to the two opposite sides of the blank, and operative connections between said fingers and the'inachine-frame for actuating the same.

27. A box-folding machine comprising a main frame,an endless traveling carrier therein, a hollow receptacle mounted on said carrier adapted to receive a box-blank, brackets on the opposite sides of the upper end of said receptacle provided with oppositely and inwardlyinclined guide-grooves,folding-fingers mounted in said grooves and adapted to move inwardly to engage the flaps connected to two opposite sides of the box-blank, and operative connection between said fingers and the machine-frame for actuating said-fingers.

28. A box-folding machine comprising a main frame, an endless carrier therein, a hollow receptacle mounted on said carrier adapted to receive a box-blank, brackets on the opposite sides of the upper end of said'receptacle provided with oppositely and inwardly inclined guide-grooves, folding-fingers mounted in said grooves, and means for moving said fingers inwardly to fold the flaps connected with two opposite side walls of the box-blan k, comprising a bell-crank lever pivotally connected with said fingers and operative connection between said levers and the machineframe.

29. A box-folding machine comprising a main. frame, an endless traveling carrier mounted therein, means for actuating said carrier, a hollow receptacle mounted on said carrier and adapted to receive a box-blank, means for folding the flaps connected with two opposite side walls of said blank comprisin g oppositely and inwardly inclined folding:

fingers movably mounted on said receptacle, bell-crank levers pivoted to said receptacle and connected at one end with said fingers, and operative connections between the opposite ends of said levers and the machine-frame.

30. A box-folding machine comprising a main frame, an endless carrier mounted therein, means for actuating said carrier, a hollow receptacle mounted on said carrier and adapted to receive a box-blank, means for folding the flaps connected with two opposite side walls of said blank comprising oppositely and carrier and adapted to receive a box-blank,

means for folding the flaps connected with two opposite side walls of said blank comprising oppositely and inwardly inclined folding-fingers movable in said receptacle, bell-crank levers pivoted to said receptacle and pivotall y connected at one end with said fingers, actuating-rods pivotally connected at one end thereof with said levers and at their opposite ends with a vertically-movable plate, a stationary track on said frame provided with upwardly-inclined cam-surface adapted to actuate said vertically-movable plate, and means for restoring said plate to its normal or lowermost position when disengaged from said cam-surface.

32. A box-folding machine comprising a main frame provided in its opposite ends with rotative pulleys, a carrier trained over said pulleys and adapted to travel in ways mounted in said frame between the pulleys, a boxblank form mounted on said carrier, means for simultaneously folding the flaps connected with two opposite side walls together and upon the form, means for folding one of the intermediate flaps upon said first-mentioned flaps, and means for folding a fourth intermediate flap upon the form, to the under side of which paste has been applied and for holding said flap in place until the paste thereon becomes set.

33. A boX folding machine comprising a main frame provided in each end with two laterally-separated sprocket-wheels, a carrier trained over said wheels comprising two endless sprocket belts connected together by transverse slats and adapted to travel on ways mounted on said frame between said sprocketwheels, a box-blank form mounted on one of said transverse slats of the carrier, means for simultaneously folding the flaps connected IIC with two opposite side walls of the blank together and upon the form, means for folding one of the intermediate flaps upon said firstmentioned flaps, and means for folding and retaining a fourth intermediate flap upon the flaps previously folded.

3i. A box-folding machine comprising a main frame, an endless traveling carrier therein, a flap-foldin g device mounted on said carrier comprising a form or blank holder, folding-fingers upon opposite sides thereof to fold the flaps connected with two opposite side Walls of the blank, a stationary track on the frame provided with a cam-surface, operative connections between said cam-surface and said folding-fingers, a third finger for folding one of the intermediate flaps of the blank, a second stationary track located in advance of said first-mentioned track with respect to the movement of said carrier, provided with a cam-surface, operative connections between said cam-surface and said lastmentioned folding-finger, a plate pivotally mounted adjacent to the frame for folding and retaining a second intermediate flap of the blank, and a third stationary track provided adjacent to one end of the machine with means for closing said plate upon the form to fold said second intermediate flap and at the opposite end of the machine with means for raising said plate, and means for stripping said blank from the form. I

35. A box-folding mechanism comprising a blank-holding block or form, a pivoted retaining plate or arm, the rear edge of which is formed to extend outside of the plane of the pivot of said plate and a tension device engaging said rear edge of the plate and acting to hold said plate either in its open or closed position.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses, this 29th day of October, A. D. 1897.

JOHN WEBB Witnesses:

TAYLOR E. BROWN, GEORGE O. MARTIN. 

